Contents:
Driving Licence
zur deutschsprachigen Version
to the German version
- Validity Period of Foreign Driving Licences in Austria
- Conversion of a Foreign Driving Licence
- System for recording driving offences (demerit points system)
Please note: Since 1 March 2006 Austrian driving licences are delivered in the form of a plastic card [Scheckkartenführerschein].
Validity Period of Foreign Driving Licences in Austria
- From an EEA state (=European Economic Area – EU plus Island, Liechtenstein and Norway):
for an unlimited period - From a non-EEA state: six months starting from establishment of the primary residence [Hauptwohnsitz]
Conversion of a Foreign Driving Licence
EEA or European Union driving licences are recognized in Austria, and may be converted at any time on a voluntary basis.
- In cities with federal police: the Federal Police Headquarters [Bundespolizeidirektion]
- In Vienna: the Motor Vehicle Department [Verkehrsamt]
- In cities without federal police: the district administration [Bezirkshauptmannschaft] or the Municipal Authority [Magistrat] of your primary residence [Hauptwohnsitz]
- Completed Driving Licence Application form, "[Führerscheinantrag]" (download application form)
- Birth certificate [Geburtsurkunde]
- Residence Registration Form [Meldezettel]
- Official identification with photo [amtlicher Lichtbildausweis] (e.g. Passport [Reisepass])
- Old driving licence
- Two passport photos (35 mm x 45 mm)
- Medical report (for the exchange of driving licences from non-EEA states)
Please note: In Vienna the original documents are required plus copies (one copy from the Residence Registration Form, two copies from the Old driving licence and Passport).
- 55.70 euro
Please note: Detailed information concerning foreign, non-EEA driving licences is available at auto clubs, like ARBÖ and ÖAMTC, at the Federal Police Headquarter (in Vienna with the traffic department), or with the district administration [Bezirkshauptmannschaft] of your primary residence [Hauptwohnsitz].
System for recording driving offences (demerit points system)
On 1 July 2005 a system for recording driving offences (measures against reckless drivers) was introduced, listing13 risk-enhumbered recordable offences [Vormerkdelikte]. These are in addition to the existing offences for which a person may have their driving licence suspended [Führerscheinentzugsdelikt] and administrative offences.
Please note: The system for recording driving offences applies to all drivers in Austria, regardless of their place of residence.
If a recordable offence [Vormerkdelikt] is committed, the following procedure is applied:
- 1st offence: recorded in the local driving licence register [Örtliches Führerscheinregister] for two years
- 2nd offence: measures must be taken (e.g. participation in further driving courses, such as road safety training)
- 3rd offence: driving licence suspended for at least three months
Please note: Administrative fines must always be paid, regardless of whether the offence is recorded, measures are to be taken or the driving licence is suspended.
Foreign drivers who commit three recordable offences [Vormerkdelikte] will be banned from driving in Austria.
Recordable offences
- Driving or operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.5 to less than 0.8 parts per thousand
- Driving or operating a ‘C’ classification vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.1 to less than 0.5 parts per thousand
- Driving or operating a ‘D’ classification vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.1 to less than 0.5 parts per thousand
- Obstructing a pedestrian crossing, thereby endangering a pedestrian
- Failing to observe a "STOP" sign, causing drivers having priority to brake or turn suddenly, thereby endangering them
- Failing to stop at a red light, thereby endangering others
- Driving along the hard shoulder, thereby hindering utility vehicles
- Failing to observe the driving ban for vehicles carrying hazardous goods in tunnels
- Violating the laws concerning restrictions for transport trucks carrying hazardous goods driving in motorway tunnels
- Violating the regulations concerning conduct at railway level crossings, in particular
- attempting to cross the crossing if the state of the road traffic (e.g. a traffic jam) could entail stopping on a level crossing
- trying to open the barriers without authorisation, climbing over or driving round closed barriers, or onto the closed area.
- Driving a vehicle, where the
- technical condition, or
- insecurely fixed load
- Failing to observe child safety regulations
- Failing to observe the safe distances of 0.2 bis 0.4 seconds
